Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 46 Nov. 18-24, 2011

PAGE 18

RIP PATRICIA DOLAN:

HEARTBREAK Civic leader Patricia Dolan, who transcended her own neighborhood to help all of Queens, was hit by a car as she crossed Hillside Avenue Tuesday night on her way to a Community Board Transportation Committee meeting.

By Brian M. Rafferty…Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs DA Makes Fake Smoke Bust Queens DA Richard Brown announced Nov. 4 that following a six month probe, three Queens men were arrested and charged with selling untaxed cigarettes.

More than 6,700 packs of untaxed cigarettes and nearly 4,000 counterfeit tax stamps were seized. Brown’s Crime Against Revenue Unit (CARU), formed in April to counteract the prevalence of the dealing of untaxed cigarettes, made the bust.

The three men were identified as Carlos M. Marcelino, 40, of South Ozone Park, Sari M. Ahmed, of Richmond Hill, and Sandro Balbuena, 32, of Jamaica.

Ahmed is the store manager for Good Guys Deli in Jamaica. If convicted, they could each face up to 15 years in prison.

High cigarette prices in New York have spurred a recent increase in the selling of untaxed cigarettes, Ryan said. Smaller stores tend to sell these cigarettes, and some have chemicals in them that would not be allowed in U.S. products. For example, their filters may not be sufficient to take out the amount of tar and nicotine that is required under U.S. law.

Marla Band, the lawyer for the defendants, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Hit and Run Suspect Found

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

Peter Rodriguez, the suspect wanted for leaving the scene of a fatal accident on the LIE service road in Maspeth on Oct. 15 that killed local pub owner George Gibbons, has been found.

The Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Rodriguez in Connecticut on Tuesday morning, acting on a tip.

Rodriguez, 36, is accused of leaving the scene of the accident after the 2002 Chrysler he was driving the wrong way on the LIE’s eastbound service road at 58th Street in Maspeth smashed head on into a livery cab at around dawn on Oct. 15. Gibbons, 37, who was a passenger in the cab, was killed while the driver of the cab and Rodriguez’s passenger were both hospitalized.

The Gibbons family, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), and others in the neighborhood raised $10,000 for a reward for anyone assisting in capturing Rodriguez, who had been suspected of leaving the state. They held two rallies in Maspeth, where Gibbons

owned a pub, in which family members pleaded with the public to help find Rodriguez, whose last known address was in Brooklyn.

Bill Would Save Fee On the eve of Veteran’s Day, Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) announced legislation that would exempt certain veterans’ organizations from the requirement of paying for annual “assembly fees.”

The legislation, which has already been introduced in the City Council, would exempt Soldiers’ Monument Corporations – including memorial halls and buildings that commemorate those who served in both World Wars – from paying fees for fire department permits, inspections and performance tests.

According to Dromm, who sits on the City Council’s Committee on Veterans, the city is in violation of state laws that prohibit the assessment of fees on soldiers’ monuments.

Under recent changes to the city’s Administrative Code, the fire department currently assesses fees against these veterans organizations despite the State’s express statutory exemption of properties held by Soldier’s Monument Corporations “from all public taxes, rates, and assessments.”

Over the years, veterans’ organizations, many of which run on a volunteer basis and have small budgets, have had difficulty obtaining the revenue necessary for the maintenances of their buildings.

Although the Elmhurst Memorial League, which operates Elmhurst Memorial Hall, an 85-year-old structure that honors borough residents who died in both World Wars and Pearl Harbor, is not in any dire financial situation, they believe there are many other veterans’ organizations in the borough who may not be able to keep up with the city agencies’ annual fees.

Brief Us! Mail your news brief items to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357

Presstime

Civic Leader Dolan Killed By Driver

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Queens lost one of its hardest working civic leaders.

Patricia Dolan was hit by a car as she crossed Hillside Avenue near 198th Street shortly after 7:30 p.m. She was taken to Jamaica Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. There was no criminality in the incident.

Dolan, 72, was President of the Queens Civic Congress, President of the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association, President of Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy and co-founder of 200+ Friends of NYC Parks, which has since grown to more than 1,000 in number.

A tireless fighter for the people and neighborhoods of Queens, Dolan had spent decades crusading for improvements to quality of life, services and needs of the people of Queens. As word spread Wednesday morning of her passing, those who knew her were in disbelief and shock.

Longtime friend, civic leader and cofounder of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy Richard Hellenbrecht described Dolan's death as "a devastating loss for all of Queens and the City."

"She was so powerful, so intelligent," he said. "It's really almost impossible to wrap my head around. Her work with Queens community boards and civic on zoning and land use, and so many committees she served on; she has made an immeasurable contribution to the borough."

Assemblyman Rory Lancman (DHillcrest) grew up in Kew Gardens Hills and met Dolan when he first began to focus on civic life and politics 20 years ago while still in college. He was at a local meeting about the City Charter Revision

The death of Patricia Dolan, 72, is a tragic loss to Queens. after the Board of Estimates was abolished.

"I vividly remember meeting her in some dark basement somewhere," Lancman said. "I knew nothing, and she new everything."

"She was amused at this young upstart who was interested in city government," he added. "We became friends, and she was a mentor to me from the time I started."

Lancman explained that the number of people who are active participants in civic life in Queens is actually fairly small, "but they have an outside impact beyond their own lives that most people don't know about or they really don't appreciate how this small group of civic leaders improves the quality of life in Queens. Pat was a giant among civic leaders."

He described Dolan's "encyclopedic knowledge" of city government as the key to her success in so many levels of

civic and government life.

"She had a savvyness about politics that helped her navigate through political and civic minefields to get results for her neighborhood and for all of Queens," he said. "No one else occupies that much space in the civic movement as Pat Dolan.

She was direct and a tough advocate for her neighborhood and for all of Queens.

Very few civic leaders are able to transcend their own neighborhood."

Borough President Helen Marshall said Dolan, who had worked with civic leader on a range of issues concerning senior citizens, parks, children, transportation safety and "every other issue that affects all of us" dedicated her life to Queens.

"She was the epitome of a civic leader and the definition of a community leader," Marshall said.

CB8 District Manager Marie AdamOvide praised Dolan's knowledge of community issues and her dedication to all of Queens: "She understands the zoning and so many different things about how the city works."

Former Flushing Councilman and current City Comptroller John Liu described Dolan as "someone who was fearless about speaking her mind and standing up for what she believed in. Pat was quick as a whip and sharp as a tack. Her leadership and infectious spirit will be sorely missed."

A few years ago, when our sister paper, the Queens Tribune, profiled Dolan as a "Community Character" of Queens, a badge she wore proudly, she called the rezoning of a large swath of Kew Gardens Hills, the area she called home, her greatest achievement in civic life.

"It was the best thing we could do to preserve the physical character of our neighborhood; absolutely the best thing," she said in the 2004 interview. "The big-

gest issue facing this borough and this city is the unheeded growth in our neighborhoods."

As the leader of the Queens Civic Congress, Dolan had made a push this past year to hold politicians' feet to the fire on independent redistricting, citing the unique opportunity in a post-Census year to reduce gerrymandering and to provide fair representation in compact and contiguous legislative districts.

In recent years she had turned her personal attention to Willow Lake in nearby Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where she fought to get the chained and gated area open to foot tours, which she would personally lead.

Dolan had described herself as persistent, usually without being a pest. "I'd agree that I'm persistent," she said. "That's what you have to be to get things done.

I've been able to take my message all the way to the mayor's office on a few occasions and that's hard to do. If I have to be a pest, so be it."

The irony that Dolan was on her way to a Transportation Committee at Community Board 8 when she was struck by a car was not lost on Lancman.

"Her final act in life was as a civic leader," he said. "If that does not illustrate her giving her full measure of devotion to her community, then nothing else does."

A memorial service has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Schwartz Brothers-Forest Park Chapel, 114-03 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. For more information, call (718) 263-7600.

Funeral arrangements were not known as of press time.

Reach Editor Brian Rafferty at brafferty@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 122.

Borough Health Care Needs A Fix: Forum

BY VERONICA LEWIN

People of color are concentrated in Southeast Queens, an area with few nearby hospitals. Access to non-emergency care is also limited in the area. According to the study, 21 percent of residents in Jamaica do not have a primary care physician. Because of this, one out of 10 people head to the emergency room whenever they need medical care, 20 percent of adults in Jamaica lack insurance and 13 percent are underinsured. The panel said people being treated at a hospital for nonemergency matters puts a greater strain on a hospital system suffering from limited resources to quickly provide people with quality care.

Safety net hospitals are required to provide care to anyone who walks through the door, regardless of insurance. Queens Hospital Center Executive Director Julius Wool said QHC and Elmhurst Hospital - the borough's two public hospitals - see 1 million ambulatory care visits each year. Wool said if the hospitals had the resources to expand and hire more staff, they could double their annual visits.

The panel aims to bring more primary care physicians to underserved areas.

Southeast Queens has 48 primary care doctors per 100,000 people, compared with 132 doctors per 100,000 people in Northeastern Queens. Rising insurance costs have made it more difficult for doctors to stay in business. "If we're in trouble, our patients are in trouble," said Dr. James Satterfield, president of the Queens Health Coalition.

Members of the audience recommended a grassroots solution to fix the complex health care problem in the borough. The Save Our Safety Net Campaign and Southeast Queens United in Support of Health Care have been actively trying to stop the health care system from deteriorating. "It's truly going to die if we don't take some firm action," said Alfred Smith, chair of Community Board 12's Health Committee.

"Talking about it is great, it's a wonderful thing. But we've been talking and it's getting worse."

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

With the population of Queens expected to grow at least 4 percent in the next three years, health care professionals are struggling to provide care in an industry constantly facing cuts and increased insurance costs.

The Queens Forum, a partnership between LaGuardia Community College and CAUSE-NY, held an open discussion on health care delivery in Queens on Tuesday. Health care leaders, advocacy groups and medical professionals all gathered to discuss the flat-lining health care system in a borough more than 2.3 million people call home. The population in Queens is expected to swell up to 8 percent by 2015, while the number of doctors and hospital beds likely will not.

Five years ago, Borough President Helen Marshall released a report warning Queens could face a health care shortage if serious action was not taken soon. The report also revealed that people who have the ability to choose their care are leaving, meaning a growing number who those who seek

healthcare in Queens depend on Medicaid or lack insurance.

Marshall's study recommended a new hospital should be put in Western Queens to better serve residents. Two years after the report, New Parkway Hospital closed its doors in November 2008, with the closing of St. John's and Mary Immaculate following in February 2009. The closing of these three hospitals left the borough with a total of 3,766 beds to serve the bustling population of Queens.

A New York Lawyers for the Public Interest study focused on Jamaica, where more than 85 percent of the population is people of color. It found that residents in Southeast Queens are more likely than others in the borough to have adverse health outcomes; in Jamaica, deaths from diabetes were 55 percent higher than the rest of the city; Jamaica residents have the highest rates of HIV related deaths; and they have the second highest rate of homicide deaths in the borough. There is also a high prevalence of asthma in Jamaica, where children have the second highest rate of asthmarelated hospitalizations citywide.

New Plan To Aid Foreclosures Sales

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

A new City program could help stimulate the economy in Queens neighborhoods hit hardest by the fall of the housing market.

The NSP2 Buyer Assistance Program grants qualified homebuyers up to $80,000 in forgivable loans toward the purchase of foreclosed or vacant homes in eligible neighborhoods in throughout the City.

The New York Mortgage Coalition will help identify eligible homes when they first come on the market to give buyers a first look, in addition to coordinating inspections and closings. The City Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development and the federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development are also participating in the program.

The eligible neighborhoods for the program were selected based on HUD criteria used to identify areas that have been most adversely impacted by the mortgage foreclosure crisis of recent years.

According to data collected from 2007 to 2009, roughly 8,133 total mortgages were in danger of foreclosure in program eligible areas. Of these at-risk mortgages, 5,780 were in Queens, 1,656 in Brooklyn and 697 mortgages in Staten Island. These amounts do not include vacant homes or homes already in foreclosure.

Deputy Mayor Robert Steele said in a statement that stabilizing the communities most affected by foreclosures is essen-

tial to the City's economic recovery. Some of Southeast Queens' elected officials have lauded the effort to improve the real estate market in their districts.

"Southeast Queens has been severely impacted by the foreclosure crisis and the Buyer Assistance Program is a great source of funding for residents who want to purchase a home," Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) said in a statement.

Councilman James Sanders (DLaurelton) said the program will ensure people get the training and counseling they need to ensure long-term financial stability. Councilman Leroy Comrie (DSt. Albans) said the new program will give the community a fighting chance against the foreclosure crisis.

The program was created under Mayor Mike Bloomberg's New Housing Market Plan, which strives to finance 165,000 units of affordable housing to 500,000 people by the end of the 2014 fiscal year. To date, the plan has funded the creation or preservation of more than 125,700 units of affordable housing across the five boroughs.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, one in nine homeowners in the borough are more than 90 days delinquent on mortgage payments or in foreclosure. Foreclosures are highly concentrated in Corona, Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Southeast Queens, where foreclosure rates are as high as 17 percent.

To qualify for the program, the purchaser's income cannot exceed 120

percent of the area median income, and they are required to attend at least eight hours of home ownership counseling from a HUD-certified community based counselor. Participating agencies in Queens are the Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Asian Americans for Equality,

Community Development Fund and the Neighborhood Housing Services of Northern Queens. For more information, visit nymc.org/nsp2.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

New Effort Made To End Bridge Toll

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula are in the same Council and Assembly district and the same Community Board. Broad Channel is covered by the 100th Precinct, which is located on the Rockaway Peninsula and many children living in Broad Channel attend school on the peninsula.

The two neighborhoods are divided by one bridge, but crossing it requires them to dig into their pockets. The toll on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, the link between the island neighborhood of Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula, is the only intra-borough crossing in the city with a toll. Residents of Broad Channel and Rockaway do not get to cross the bridge for free; instead they pay

$1.19 per trip for the first two trips per day and then nothing for any additional trips.

But for many residents, they only use the bridge twice a day; once to get to where they are going, and once to get back, thereby missing any free trips. The toll amounts to what Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) calls a tax.

In a statement, MTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority said the tolls were necessary to pay for the maintenance and construction projects on all eight of the agency's crossings, including current projects on the Whitestone, Throgs Neck and RFK Bridges. TBTA does not take any federal money for their projects, relying only on toll and bond reserve.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Food Need Up 29 Percent In Queens

BY VERONICA LEWIN With cold weather and the holidays arriving, food banks and soup kitchens across the city are preparing for an inf lux of visitors due to tough financial times.

City Harvest, the world's first food rescue organization, collected data from 221 citywide soup kitchens and pantries that provided monthly reports from July 2007 to July 2011. The Manhattan-based organization used data from the first and last fiscal year to determine the usage of food pantries citywide. Out of agencies that reported for all 48 months, 77 percent saw an increase in visitors from 2008 to 2011. Queens and Brooklyn tied for second with a 29 percent increase in visitors.

"Unfortunately it has not been a surprise to see a significant and prolonged surge in the need for food in New York City," Jilly Stephens, executive director of City Harvest, said in a statement. "The brunt of the recession was born by these communities, as some of the first people to be impacted and the last to recover.

Soup kitchens and food pantries are an even more important safety net for many more New Yorkers than they were four years ago."

Gordon added rising food prices may be to blame. Budgets that could cover expenses four years ago may not be able to make ends meet in 2011. Gordon said

the price increase may be the reason New Yorkers are going to food pantries more often. In 2008, 5.7 million visits were made at agencies in Queens. In 2011, the number increased to 6.8 million visits.

"The economic downturn has been really slow to recover, especially in low-

income communities," said Leslie Gordon, senior director of agency relations and education of City Harvest.

City Harvest plans to offset the strain on food agencies this holiday season by donating as many pounds of food as possible. The organization collects excess food from businesses around the city, in-

cluding restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers and farms. The food is then delivered on foot, bikes and trucks to more than 600,000 food programs across the city.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Councilman Wills Ends Legal Woes

BY VERONICA LEWIN Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) has ended the court case that has followed him around for 15 years, and wants to get back to serving his constituents.

Wills pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to criminal mischief in the fourth degree in Manhattan criminal court. According to the Manhattan DA's office, Wills entered Inner Circle Communications, a public relations firm in Chinatown, on Aug. 14, 1996 and removed and damaged office property. In 1997, the councilman agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which meant the case would be dismissed provided that he stayed out of trouble.

Wills failed to appear at a later court date, and a bench warrant was issued.

The councilman returned to court this past March, nearly 15 years later. He was ordered last Thursday to serve three

days of community service and pay $2,500 in restitution to the public relations firm.

Wills won a special election last year after the passing of Tom White Jr. He went on to win a Democratic primary in September and ran uncontested on Election Day for the remaining two years of the City Council term.

Following Wills' guilty plea, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance announced plans to call on the State Legislature to amend the current statute of limitations for the crime of bail jumping, in order to help punish defendants who fail to appear in court.

The statute of limitations for prosecuting bail jumping can be two to five years, depending on the crime. Under the proposed amendment, there would not be a time limitation for any period where the defendant has intentionally failed to return to court and a bench warrant has been ordered.

Wills' Spokeswoman Lupe Todd confirmed the councilman also cleared up an outstanding Nassau County citation for operating an unlicensed home improvement business 11 years ago. Todd said Wills took care of the issue more than a month ago, before appearing in court last week, but would not offer additional details on the matter.

Wills, who is now 40, has moved on from both matters and wants to get back to the issues that affect his constituents in the 28th District. "Council Member Wills accepted responsibility for conduct that occurred more than 15 years ago, when he was a young man," Todd said in a statement. "We should all look at is who he is today; a person who is giving back every day to his community."

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Jason Banrey Ross Barkan Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director James Mammarella Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Martin Moor Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Editorial We Are Not Free

Mayor Mike Bloomberg claims he welcomes the protesters at Zuccotti Park, and supports their ability to share their ideas by exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech, yet at the same time he puts an effective – and we have heard, literal – chokehold on the media’s coverage of the actions of both the protesters and the NYPD. Across the world, journalists put their lives on the line every day to gather the news, shedding light on the operations of governments and their police forces. The action of this mayor and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to stifle, expel, detain, arrest and strip of credentials legitimate members of the working media is an egregious act that cannot be tolerated in a free society.

The mayor and his agencies have incrementally wrapped a shroud of secrecy around their actions, failing to respond to Freedom of Information requests, denying legitimate journalists access to the privileges of working media credentials and, in an absolute affront to the most basic freedoms of the press, have denied the media ability to cover the news of this city as it is happening. This action is the most egregious of the Bloomberg years, which have witnessed the whittling away of access and rights that ensure a free press.

Photographers, reporters and even news helicopters were all kept a distance from Zuccotti Park as the police descended, using what some at the scene have described as unnecessary force. They chose the dead of night to for their stealth operation against a protest that has been peaceful and purposeful. The darkness not only hid their actions from cameras but symbolizes the lack of transparency a free society demands.

Media from major news outlets who asked questions of officers at the scene had their credentials seized in the most blatant silencing of the free press in recent history.

New York’s peaceful Occupy Wall Street protest has captured the imagination of people around the world. It has ignited a spark that will cast its glow brighter and wider until economic change addresses the concerns of those who choose to speak for the 99%. Occupy Wall Street has started a dialogue that must not be silenced.

Shame on this mayor and his police commissioner for strangling the media’s ability to document and critique the actions of the NYPD in dealing with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park. Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly – not the protestors – have disregarded our constitution and have denied us a free press.

Letters For OWS To The Editor: Obviously, the more conservative elements of our City have finally succeeded in their ef-

forts to obtain the forceful removal of protesters from Zuccotti Park.

Unfortunately, what those conservative forces fail to realize

Letters is that the Occupy Wall Street protesters symbolize an undercurrent of frustration in the United States about the ever increasing alienation of wealth by the top 1 percent of income earning individuals and corporations.

True, there have been some individuals pretending to be protestors who have taken advantage of the situation to violate city ordinances, challenge the police and commit some violent acts. However, the overwhelming majority of OWS protesters are average Americans who are making a serious statement that change needs to occur.

Those who have criticized or condemned OWS are making a serious mistake in failing to recognize the growing rift in this country. Ignoring OWS also ignores the underlying causes that have created a growing divide between the super rich and everybody else.

I believe that the protesters should be allowed to criticize the economic inequalities and political inaction that has virtually eliminated the middle class and created disastrous financial difficulties for working families and the poor, whose numbers increase on a daily basis.

As an elected official, I am the first to recognize that the work of enhancing the quality of life and opportunities for Americans is an ongoing process. Public input, even if it comes in the form of dissent, is necessary because it leads to political action.

As long as the OWS movement remains peaceful and vocal, their message and concerns about inequality have some

chance of being addressed for the betterment of all.

Tony Avella, State Senator, 11th Senatorial District

Embarrassing Fools To The Editor: Recently; former Bush White House Counselor Ed Gillespie on CBS “Face the Nation,” in reference to the ever growing sexual harassment charges surrounding Herman Cain, stated “Any time you’re talking about sexual harassment instead of your tax reform plan, you’re not on the message you want to be on.”

This sage observation is by a Republican Party strategist whose party just organized a selfserving vote to make “In God We trust” the official motto of our country. It had already been attempted in 1956 by another group attempting once again to de-secularize our great country by injecting a Christian God into some official position and divide its citizens.

Perhaps Mr. Gillespie should heed his own insightful observation and note that any time you are wasting your time and taxpayers money voting to pass a mere motto that already exists instead of voting to pass the Jobs Bill, you’re not on the message you want to be on.

Nick Pappas, Bayside

WRITE ON:

The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 email news@queenspress.com fax: (718) 357-9417

Occupying The Streets And Subways A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Occupy Wall Street started as a good idea that caught on around the country and the world. People are fed up about not being able to find jobs. They are protesting Wall Street greed which is believed to have contributed to the economic crisis.

We have supported the protestors’ right to protest, and many of us have applauded them for doing so. Everyone has a right to peaceful assembly. But we have also complained that the “Occupiers” don’t seem to have a clearly defined agenda.

The Civil Rights Movement had an agenda that was very clearly delineated, as did the Equal Rights Amendment and the Vietnam War protests. But Occupy has not made its goal crystal clear.

After two months of camping out on private property in

Zuccotti Park, a post-midnight raid by police left the Occupy Wall Street folks tent-less – therefore baseless – this week, and in their anger they have taken it to the streets and subways.

So here’s the problem with that: it’s punishing the rest of us.

It was easy to be incorrigible when the occupying was contained to a particular geographic area and section of the city. But setting it off in the subway is punishing regular working stiffs who need to get to the jobs they still have.

The economic activists have now inspired “tens of thousands” of the disaffected in our city. Of course they have a right to protest.

In fact, protest is good when you want justice and equality. I’ve done it. I love it. But clogging the subways? I’m not so sure about that.

Protesting at the New York Stock Exchange may be fair game, but making it difficult for kids to

get to school by the subway or a single mom to get to her job? Not so cool. Perhaps the old saying, “The good will have to suffer for the bad,” has come into play here.

Occupy Wall Street’s Web site tries to justify this latest tactic.

“It’s time we put an end to Wall Street’s reign of terror and begin building an economy that works for all,” the group writes on its site.

They also promise to “confront Wall Street with the stories of people on the front lines of economic injustice,” and “exchange stories rather than stocks.”

Yes, but how are you getting what you want, need and deserve?

Who’s going to “bell the cat?” And how do we know some nut job won’t decide to get violent at one or more of these protests? We appreciate that the plan is to keep it peaceful; but we still have to hope that some unwanted element doesn’t creep in and spoil those plans. As Burns says in his 1786

poem, “To a Mouse,” “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men oft go awry” (or something like that).

We all want to see an end to corporate greed, which has led to people’s pension and life’s savings being wiped out; we’re tired of seeing people lose their homes to unscrupulous mortgage lenders who prey on our communities. Yes, indeed, enough! But let’s continue to keep the protest safe and let’s see the message streamlined.

There needs to be a central message with actionable goals in mind. And by “actionable,” we don’t mean marching. There needs to be a workable plan akin to a business plan.

Those of us who support the protestors don’t want to see the movement end without some tangible outcome. But for the love of freedom, don’t block anyone from getting to work and school; and keep it safe.

A Fun Afternoon With Dan Halloran

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER I like Dan Halloran.

Yes, I am talking about the Republican Councilman who in 2009 was on the receiving end of this paper’s investigation into his less-than-traditional religious leadership. Yup, we called Dan a pagan lord and printed pictures of him regaled during some religious ceremony.

The voters were right when the y said “who the heck care s about his religion?”

I agree. I agreed then, that religion wasn’t an issue and I agree now. And the voters demonstrated they were a smart bunch.

And although his opponent was a dedicated and worthy candidate, the voters gave the nod to Dan Halloran. And he has performed for them with courage, hard work and drive.

Dan is all over the place. He seems to appear at just about every civic event, meeting, or community focal point in his district.

He is not afraid to speak his mind, even though he occasionally is overzealous. An expletive or two may merely be punctuation marks for Dan when he’s animated.

His conservative form of libertarianism has not always won my approval. Some of his ideas are, well . . . nutty, to this progressive.

Dan and I have our list of things we agree to disagree on. Gun control probably tops the list.

But when two politically animated, informed people from opposite sides of the spectrum get together for lunch, it’s a lot more pleasant to ignore those topics where there is no middle ground.

And Dan and I did just that as we shared a sushi lunch at Ai Passion in Whitestone last week.

It was really the first time we spent together where we could talk.

We broke the ice of a potentially icy relationship when Dan came to the Trib holiday party after being elected in 2009. He showed up in spite of a less than gentle reception our paper showed to his candidacy.

I liked the fact that he came to the party and enjoyed the several minute exchange we had at that loud holiday celebration at Douglaston Manor.

We have got ten to know each other bet ter on Facebook where in spite of a large group of onlookers, you can understand someone’s passion, beliefs and

sense of humor by their posts and comments.

Dan is quick, clever and possesses a sarcastic humor that I enjoy. As strange as it may sound – no it’s not really strange – Dan is my kind of person, only he is stuck politically in some ancient time warp. He still clings to some oddball old-fashioned ideas like the strict constructionists one may encounter in academia or debating societies.

And although he wears his Republican label proudly, I think deep down, he can relate to Occupy Wall St – he was one of the first elected officials to go to Zucotti Park and engage the protestors in dialogue — and cer tai nly cares deeply about the plight of the little guy. His working class background prepared him well for the community pressures that result from the economic crunch of the current long-term downturn.

His mind is sharp and analytical, but like a number of conservatives, he occasionally allows ideology to interfere with reality and problem solving – I can picture him chuckling as he reads that line.

His Council position necessitated his giving up the profitable practice of criminal law, and so Dan has taken a significant income cut to be a public servant. And he reminded me that elective office was never meant, by our founders, to be a career. And although the lib-

ertarian in him may prevent him from outright endorsing term limits for elected officials, there is little doubt that he applauds the positive effect it has had in the Council and would welcome it elsewhere.

He’s a rising G.O.P. star and when the likely Dan Halloran and Mike Schenkler disingenuous process of redistricting is complete, Dan will little hope at a district he would look at the lines and carefully ana- consider. He dreams of connecting lyze where he wants to be in the his conservative neighborhoods future. Certainly, joining the Re- with Carolyn McCarthy’s blue colpublican fight to hold the State lar Nassau County portions, but Senate by recapturing Frank it’s just dreaming.

Padavan’s State Senate seat is Much of what you’re reading high on his list. However, the here are conclusions or my take G.O.P. controlled senate may very on the guy who I spent last Thurswell decide to draw two seats they day afternoon with. Basically, our could capture – one in northeast chat was informal and off-the– Queens, for Dan, and one in south- record. I didn’t take notes and was west Queens for Eric Ulrich. Divid- not necessarily planning on writing the strong Republican areas ing a column. I haven’t quoted Dan into two could very well doom any once. But I think I captured the funG.O.P. Queens Senate shot. loving guy with drive and principles While it’s a free run – they from a couple of centuries ago. don’t risk their seats – neither I spent a couple of hours with needs a loss to tarnish their im- Dan Halloran, a Councilmember pressive first-run win. who cares about his district and our Perhaps more at tract ive to societ y; and although he has a Dan would be a shot at Congress, couple of ideas that make me shake where his philosophical approach my head, I really enjoyed myself. to government would have more I have little doubt that Dan is meaning. But if the Republicans saying very much the same thing can control or influence the new about me. lines, they will work to keep Bob Thank for lunch, Dan. Turner in Congress, leaving Dan MSchenkler@Gmail.com

Gov Defers Budget Decisions, Blames World Markets basis of what other investors are doing. It is illegal, however, to be too well informed, and people can be prosecuted if they are caught at insider trading.

An opposite flaw in the dissemination of information was criticized Stern by the Post. It observed that an impor tant budget document was then more than 10 days overdue. Every Oct. 31 in New York State, the governor’s Division of the Budget is supposed to issue a mid-year financial report, detailing the degree to which the state’s real-world economic situation conforms to the projections laid out in the annual budget adopted by the legislature at the end of March.

In addition to tracking the state’s actual tax revenues, which according to the comptroller’s office are down by almost $400 million from the forecast, the mid-year accounting is an important indicator of the “fiscal trends that will shape the next Executive Budget.”

It also provides a context to evaluate the budget requests made by each of the state agency heads, which were due this week.

Governor Cuomo explains his decision to delay the DOB’s mid-

year report, and, consequently, to postpone indefinitely the deadline for agency heads to submit their budget requests, as follows: “Between Greece and Europe and the stock market going up and down, there has been significant ... volatility. We want to make sure we have the best possible [projections], because we are going to start making real decisions based on this information.”

The phrase “making real decisions” in government usually means firing people or shelving capital projects. Since the state has won major concessions from the unions in exchange for a no-layoff pledge, it will be more difficult to find areas in which expenditures can be substantially reduced.

Since it is unlikely that there will be a tide-turning economic recovery in the state in the next few months, the delay in submit ting reports and budget requests will most likely mean that the reductions, when they come, will be sharper. This is a perennial situation; it recurs with monotonous and unsurprising regularit y each budget cycle. The administration buys breathing room, but at a cost.

The next four and a half months will complete Fiscal Year 2011-2012. As the due date for the

next budget approache s, t he struggle to balance the budget, or to find a ruse to avoid a balanced budget, will intensif y. Mandatory cost increases and a projected $2.4 billion budget gap will create an even more difficult situation for next year.

Some alleviation of the bad news may come from the fact that if the budget is so dire, reasonable people will not fault the governor for being unable to keep his com-

mitments. However, Cuomo appears to be proud of his promises, and as a strong governor and potential national candidate, he is under closer scrutiny than some of his rivals.

We fear the silence of the canary. Muzzling or ignoring the bird may provide time to work on the problem, but it will not add any oxygen to the mineshaft.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

By HENRY STERN A widely used political metaphor is the canary in t he mi ne shaft. T he small yellow bird is said to be more sensitive to carbon monoxide and methane than human beings.

Therefore, when poisonous gases accumulate in an Henry enclosed underground area, the canary is reputedly the first creature to sense its toxic effects. This makes the bird a living smoke alarm.

The canary rule can be applied to financial situations. The canary in the mineshaft provides an early warning of danger ahead. Theoretically, this avian warning gives the authorities the opportunity to take remedial action in an attempt to forestall the disaster that lies in wait.

Advance information is also a valuable asset i n t he busi ne ss world. People have gone to jail for using it for their own benefit at the expense of others.

People who trade stocks and bonds make decisions based on their beliefs of what the market will do. Investment decisions should be made on the basis of the informed judgment of market professionals.

It is logical that such judgments should be made, in part, on the

Occupy Queens:

Borough Shares Similar Message, Without Zuccotti’s Militant Stance Photos By Jason Banrey

BY JASON BANREY Tuesday’s early morning eviction of Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park is still a fresh wound for demonstrators who found themselves forcibly removed by police who arrested more than 200 people, including reporters at the order of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

As demonstrators dispersed into the surrounding parks, plazas and pedestrians areas awaiting a court’s decision on their ability to return, the people who have, for the most part, been peacefully protesting against corporate influence of government remained bold in their resolve to continue to deliver their message – one that has been shared in cities across the nation and the world.

Last week, the movement trickled out from its origins and into our borough, branching off movements of their own in Queens.

The message of Occupy Wall Street has been spread via a virtual megaphone to the nation’s “99 percent,” those either suffering from unemployment, foreclosure or what many demonstrators believe to be economic inequality. Though countless people from Queens have been involved in the Zuccotti Park branch of the movement, some took the message to Jackson Heights last week.

On Nov. 11, borough residents joined together with various community organizations, associations and residents to kick off the borough’s inaugural Occupy Queens General Assembly.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

A Different Approach Set in the backdrop in the most unlikely of settings, Occupy Queens held its first meeting at the Jackson Heights Jewish Center. Positioned within the center of the borough’s most ethnically and socially diverse demographics, more than 110 participants showed up representing a diverse range of cultures, ages, races and faces from all places all around the borough – and the world.

Facilitators walked participants through the fundamentals of a General Assembly, while others held signs which encompassed their message.

In clear contrast to the blare of beating drums and shouts of an “open-mic” being dispersed by hundreds of demonstrators sheltered throughout an open space, participants in Jackson Heights sat in silence, learning the fundamentals of a General Assembly Process.

Before the meeting began, organizers had already agreed to honor the request of the host site to not exceed the capacity of the building, though most of the participants were unaware of the restriction.

Collected in multiple rows of seats strung across what only an hour before was used by the temple’s Jewish congregation for prayer, Queens’ first General Assembly sat sharing similarities to that of a church congregation.

Listening to two facilitators, both of whom were from Occupy Wall Street’s outreach working group, Stephanie

The General Assembly’s participants agreed and disagreed with the wave of their hands in a scene that was similar to that of a church congregation.

Nechamkin sat in silence with her husband, Arthur, and their 20-year-old son.

“If you want to speak, raise your hand,” said one facilitator raising her right hand, exemplifying the action to the crowd.

“When you do that you will be put on stack in which you will be able to speak.”

Following her instructions, the facilitator explained what a “progressive stack” was.

“A progressive stack encourages women and traditionally marginalized groups to speak before men.”

The crowd shifted in its seats.

With one hand on her cheek and the other clutched around her husband’s arm, Nechamkin’s head swiveled to and fro following the back and forth of participants raising their concerns within what demonstrators have dubbed an “organic democratic process.”

“It all seems pretty organized,” said Nechamkin. But before committing to joining one of nearly 15 working groups within Queens’ General Assembly, “I’d need to get more of a feel for what they want to achieve.”

Her husband disagreed.

Deciding to avoid eye contact with any of the facilitators, he sat next to his son who seemed indifferent about the whole process, shaking his head at each issue brought out into the debate.

Queens’ Concerns As a multitude of topics were raised throughout the three-hour assembly, it was possible to decipher the concerns of some participants even before they stood to speak.

Many of the participants were a far cry from the Zuccotti Park protesters, who organizers said are referred to as “unemployed hippies with nothing else better to do.” This crowd was different.

Teacher s raised their concerns about overcrowding and what they perceived to be a persistent and relent-

less attack on local schools.

“I for one am extremely tired of seeing our kids fall through the cracks,” said one man in his 20s who teaches in the Bronx. “Our children shouldn’t fail before they’re given a chance to succeed. This system has to change.”

Arturo Ignacio Sanchez, a member of Community Board 3 for more than 15 years, has always held immigration issues close to his heart. As an educator of urban planning and an immigrant himself, he has lived first hand through what many are going through in the community he lives in.

“We must keep the immigration issue a top priority in this movement,” said Sanchez, who is also chair of CB3’s Newest New Yorkers Committee. “This issue intersects with almost every topic we are discussing tonight.”

Even immigrant day laborers were on hand, welcomed by the General Assembly; their concerns were delivered in Spanish and then translated into English.

As the assembly carried on, many seniors began to filter out after having voiced their opinions about the lack of affordable housing and the increased cost of living.

Organizers from other borough offshoots of the OWS demonstration such as Occupy Rockaway and Occupy Astoria were in attendance to express their solidarity for the movement.

A Slow Growth The first evening of Queens’ General Assembly showed signs of a social movement that had already set itself firm in the foundation of the borough.

“What’s this meeting all about?” asked one of the temple’s parishioners after concluding his prayers.

“It’s a revolution,” an organizer whispered in reply, handing him an Occupy Wall Street pamphlet detailing the process of a General Assembly.

Grasping the flyer the man looked down at it.

“Oh yeah,” he replied in amazement of an assembly occurring right at that moment in his neighborhood. “I’m staying.”

Occupy Queens’ next General Assembly meeting will be held at the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights, at 77th Street and 37th Avenue, on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

pix

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

Ride Safe In Jamaica On Thursday, Nov. 10, a joint press conference of the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. and other officials was held to celebrate the RIDE SAFE pilot livery stand program. It was held at the Jamaica Long Island RR Station in Downtown Jamaica.

Photos by Walter Karling

F. Carlisle Towery, President of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; NYC Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Yassky; Andrew Manshel, Executive Vice-President of the GJDC; and Joe Calderone, Vice-President of Market Development and Public Affairs of the Long Island Rail Road explain to the public the benefits of the newly-created service.

F. Carlisle Towery, President of the GJDC; NYC Taxi & Limousine Commissioner Safe and secure, a passenger David Yassky, and GJDC Executive Vicegets her efficient, hassle-free President Andrew Manshel cordially weltaxi ride. come customers to the service.

Discussing program success: F. Carlisle Towery, President of the GJDC; Ann Bailey, wife of GJDC Board Chairman Lamont Bailey; Joe Calderone, LIRR Vice-President of Market Development and Public Affairs; Andrew Manshel, Executive Vice-President of the GJDC; James Vaccaro, Director of Security & Quality Control of the GJDC; and NYC Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Yassky.

A musical journey of African-American women from Bessie Smith to Mary J. Blige

WINNER 2011

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

Midtown International Theatre Festival

“Sistas dares and succeeds in exploring a woman’s experience with humor, humility and sass.

I LOVE IT!” -Hinton Battle

3 Time Tony Award Winner

THE JOURNEY BEGINS 11.11.11 Visit RadioCityChristmas.com at 866-858-0007 or call ©2011 MSG Holdings, L.P. All rights reserved. Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall are registered trademarks of Radio City Trademarks, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

2012 enrollment dates: October 15 – December 7

Police Blotter Compiled By ROSS BARKAN

101st Precinct Shot In Car On Sunday, Nov. 13, at approximately 7:40 a.m., a man was shot at Beach 32nd Street and Lewmay Avenue. When officers arrived, they discovered a man sitting in the driver’s seat of a white Ford Crown Victoria, with a gunshot wound to the head. The man was pronounced the man dead on arrival. This is an ongoing investigation. There were no arrests. Identity of the deceased is pending a proper family notification.

Man Shot On Sunday, Nov. 13 at 5:40 a.m., a man was shot at Gateway Boulevard between New Haven Avenue and Brookville Boulevard. Police discovered a 21-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the lower torso. The man, Sean Mack, was pronounced dead on arrival at Jamaica Hospital. This is an ongoing investigation.

There were no arrests. The family has been notified.

102nd Precinct Car Crash On Sunday, Nov. 13, at approximately 3:33 a.m., an unknown driver of a BMW sedan was traveling south bound on the Van Wyck Expressway and lost control of the vehicle exiting at 91st Avenue, crashing into a tree. Upon impact, the vehicle burst into flames. FDNY and EMS pronounced the driver dead on arrival.

The investigation was ongoing. The identity of the deceased is pending family notification.

Missing Man The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Peter Borneo, a 69year-old man, who lives at 86-26 126th St. in Richmond Hill.

Borneo was last seen on Thursday, Nov. 10, at approximately 3:50 p.m. leaving New York Hospital Queens. He is described as being 6-foot, 180 lbs, and was wearing a black baseball cap, black sweater, blue jeans, and black shoes. He is also known to wear a Medic Alert bracelet.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

105th Precinct Missing Man The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in finding Johnston Baffour-Awuah, a 77-year-old black man, who was last seen on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at approximately 2:30 p.m. leaving his home on 120-34 232nd St. He is described as approximately 5-foot-10 and 130 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing blue pajama pants, a black jacket, dark colored slippers and carrying a cane.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

108th Precinct Motorcycle Crash On Sunday, Nov. 13, at approximately 2:19 a.m., a motorcycle traveling eastbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway near exit 39 struck the rear of a truck.

The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead on arrival, and the operator of the truck remained on scene. There was no criminality suspected. The identification of the deceased is pending family notification.

109th Precinct Missing In Kissena Park The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in finding Kwang Koh, an 82-yearold Asian man who lives at 43-26 161st St., who was last seen on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at approximately 2 p.m. inside Kissena Park in Flushing. He is about 5foot-7 and weighs 140 lbs. with brown eyes and salt and pepper hair, and was last seen wearing black pants, white shirt and a brown jacket with a fur trim.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

Missing Man 7 Train The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in finding Jose Bolivar, a 71-yearold Hispanic man, who was last seen on a Manhattan-bound 7 train at Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue. He is 5-foot-4 and

weighs 145 lbs. and has brown eyes and gray hair. He lives at 45-15 Colden St. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

113th Precinct Murder Suicide On Tuesday, Nov. 8, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a woman was stabbed in the rear of 111-11 143rd St. Upon arrival, police discovered the victim, 48-year-old Hettie Patterson, lying on the ground with severe head trauma. Upon further investigation, responding officers discovered the suspect Eulith Reid inside of a bedroom on the first floor of the location, with an apparent self- inf licted stab wound to his neck. A machete was also discovered inside of the bedroom. Both the victim and the suspect were transported to Jamaica Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival. The investigation was ongoing.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.

Borough Beat

LIC At Center Of City Hotel Growth Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

BY JASON BANREY The hotel business in Long Island City is certainly booming. In the past, the mere concept of starting a business in the dust of what was once only an industrial district would have had many laughed out the board room. Today, it has become prime real estate for entrepreneurs willing to take the gamble.

And as the area on the banks of the East River has already helped New York City come closer toward reaching its record peak of having 90,000 hotel rooms by the year’s end, it’s safe to say this slice of the borough has had a hand in the City’s success.

Some 17 hotels already offer 1,500 rooms to thousands of domestic and international tourists in search of an affordable accommodation in the nation’s top destination chosen for a getaway. And five more properties are on the brink of adding

another 650 more rooms to the mix.

Before local hoteliers and Mayor Michael Bloomberg could tout the record numbers of visitors and the creation of borough jobs, local hoteliers stared into the bold face of a gigantic risk.

Today, their risk has paid off; Queens is now at the center stage of helping regenerate the City’s economy by contributing toward the $31 billion tourism industry.

Hafeez Choudhary, owner of the Holiday Inn Manhattan View, calls himself a pioneer of Western Queens’ hotel ventures.

Prior to bringing the name brand establishment in to the Dutch Kills area in 2009, he says there was no one else out there willing to take the same risk he was.

Today, as his occupancy only increases, he believes his decision has paid off, ushering in a slew of hotels that have followed his lead.

“I believe our location has been the key

to our success,” said Choudhary, boasting the hotel’s ease of access to major attractions such as the Empire State Building, Central Park and the United Nations. “Our spot is central and that it why people choose us.”

Standing atop the newly opened Z NYC Hotel, owner Henry Zilberman looked across the landscape of Queens, with the Manhattan skyline to his back.

In an effort to provide affordable rates to guests seeking an economical trip to New York City, he chose Queens as a home for his hotel.

“We are in a different stage of Long Island City,” said Zilberman, who recognized the area’s potential and has already hired 70 local residents as staff; he also incorporates area artists’ work into his five-month old establishment.

“This is the next place to be. It’s a place to be now.”

As the City’s tourism industry shows

no signs of slowing down, Ravel Hotel has continued to invest in its own infrastructure, expanding to the lot which sits adjacent to its current location at 8-08 Queens Plaza South.

Confident not only in his purchase but also in the area’s promise for growth, owner Ravi Patel says it was necessary to spread out and take advantage of the opportunity due to his hotel consistently experiencing an occupancy rate greater than 90 percent.

“Everyone keeps saying it, but it’s true.”

Patel said with an over zealous smile, eager to expand his territory his small Long Island City empire by 10 more stories.

“I’ve been in the hotel industry for 14 years and Long Island City truly is the place to be. I wouldn’t be expanding if it wasn’t.”

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

A&E

Boro Bachelors Learn From Emeril

BY MONICA GANESH

Five eligible bachelors from Astoria and Jackson Heights got a culinary lesson from Chef Emeril Lagasse in an episode of "Emeril's Table" that premiered last week on the Hallmark Channel.

The new daily cooking show, which first hit the airwaves this season, features the culinary icon weekdays at 11 a.m. teaching and conversing with an array of guests, as they sit around his table and watch the famous chef cook.

The episode titled "Frugal French," was filmed on May 24. In the show, a batch of bachelors that includes Justin Purnell, Rory McAlister, Mike Trainor, Anthony Gonsalves and Dan Genshaft are instructed how to make a dinner of sautĂŠed chicken cutlets with Dijon tarragon sauce, braised carrots, pommes

Lyonnais and simple Dijon vinaigrette.

Trainor and McAlister, both from Astoria, and Gonsalves, from Jackson Heights, heard about the casting call from a friend who works on the show. The men had to inform the casting directors about their background in cooking and had a short phone interview.

"I thought [the show] sounded right up my alley," said 31-year-old media salesman McAllister, who does not consider himself the best cook, but "knows how to work the microwave really well."

McAllister has not tackled the French dinner by himself yet, but he has been experimenting with the recipe book that they all received after the show. He is saving conquering the French dish for a romantic date, which he thinks is fancy enough for the occasion.

Only one bachelor in the group con-

sidered himself to be a great cook.

"I was the guy in the group who knew anything Emeril was talking about," said 30-year-old Trainor, a stand-up comic and writer for truTV's "Worlds Dumbest."

According to Trainor, the bunch "sat there and let the master do his thing."

Almost all the men knew each other.

Trainor and McAllister were once roommates and currently own a house together that they rent. The men had their DVR's set to record the episode and they planned to watch it together.

The bachelors praised Lagasse because he made sure that they understood what he was doing and that they were

comfortable. Also, Lagasse made it clear to his staff that the dish had to be hot when the men finally got to taste it, so that they thoroughly enjoyed it and did not have to pretend.

"It was really great," said 31-year-old Gonsalves, who works in IT sales. "He put us all at ease."

The bachelors all agree that they had a great experience.

"It was a nice way to spend the morning," said Trainor. "The food was really great. If Emeril wants to cook me dinner, I would show up."

Reach Intern Monica Ganesh at interns@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Restaurant Review

Not Just Greek To Go GYRO GRILL 63-02 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park (718) 779-0900 CUISINE: Greek/Mediterranean HOURS: 11 am-11 pm, daily PARKING: Street CREDIT CARDS: All major RESERVATIONS: No

Chef Emeril Lagasse teaches a group of bachelors how to prepare a frugal French meal to impress a date: Chef Emeril Lagasse (l. to r.), Justin Purnell, Rory McAlister, Mike Trainor, Anthony Gonsalves and Dan Genshaft.

Inside Animal Brains At NY Hall Of Science

BY BARBARA ARNSTEIN Mimi was swimming for her life. The predator suddenly pursuing her was huge, hungry and closing in fast; lacking weapons of any kind, Mimi had to think fast.

Suddenly she remembered the venomous lionfish she'd seen in those waters, which had several long spiky fins bristling from either side.

Instantly, she squeezed together the ropes she always carried with her, sticking them out like oversized lionfish fins, and the menacing creature veered away. Later, when another predator appeared, she quickly hid inside an undersea hole, wiggling one of her ropes outside it, hoping it would be mistaken for a poisonous sea snake. The ruse worked. One look at the black-and-white stripes, and it was gone.

"Mimi" is not a scuba diver, but a mimic octopus, and the "ropes" mentioned above are its tentacles. The amazing escapes described above reflect only a small part of what the Indonesian invertebrate can do, which is change its color, shape and movements to resemble 15 different undersea creatures. It is one of the video stars of the new exhibit at the New York Hall of Science: "Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think,"

which runs through Jan. 15.

One part of the exhibit, "Birds with Big Brains," focuses on Betty, a very intelligent crow who figured out how to bend a piece of wire into a hook for grabbing meat, while another stars Alex, the bright African gray parrot who could select items based on their color, shape or number.

"What Dogs Want" invites visitors to decipher the meaning of dog barks, while another, "Is That Me I See," features dolphins encountering mirrors. "Mimicking Sounds for the Environment" shows off the talents of the lyrebird (which resemble those of the urban bird who perfectly imitates the varying sounds of the standard car alarm).

Biologist Martin Weiss designed the exhibit primarily to show how much planning is possible for animals and the similarities between human and animal cognitive abilities.

Other current exhibits include the 3D films "Wild Ocean," highlighting one of the planet's biggest migrations, and "Tornado Alley," revealing the awesome power of tornadoes.

General admission is free on Fridays from 2-5 p.m., and Sundays 10-11 a.m.

The New York Hall of Science is located at 47-01 111th St. For more information, call (718) 699-0005 or go to nysci.org.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Good Greek food is not hard to find in Queens, but you normally have to venture to Astoria or Whitestone to find it. If you live in the central part of the borough, your only real options for authentic cuisine of any kind are pizza, pastrami, and perhaps sushi.

But now a new eatery on Woodhaven Boulevard aims to bring the tasty Eastern Mediterranean closer to home.

Gyro Grill has only been open since late summer, but already has begun to develop a loyal following of regular customers. Situated on the busy corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and 63rd Avenue, north of Penelope Avenue, Gyro Grill is mostly geared toward take out.

There are a few tables if you should choose to eat in, and many do. The cooks and servers watch over from behind the counter where kabobs sizzle on the grill and chicken and lamb and beef columns rotate as they cook, ready to be shaved for a gyro order. On the side of the restaurant, along 63rd Avenue, delivery bikes are chained to the side door.

On this chilly autumn Friday afternoon, one group sits in the far corner of the restaurant for a while after they finish eating, talking amongst themselves like a group of friends at a European coffee shop.

I sat at a small table overlooking the sidewalk and afternoon traffic on Woodhaven Boulevard. Carol, the coowner of Gyro Grill, brought me a smorgasbord of the most popular menu items. First, a generous helping of

homemade spinach pie - and by generous, I mean more like a slab than a slice.

Besides the spinach pie, I was treated to a plate of gyro meat, including chicken and a shaved lamb and beef combo. The chicken came with its own sauce, one of about four I was given. The special chicken sauce gave it an exciting flavor.

Though often chicken can be dry and short on flavor, this chicken was a moist and tender panoply of tastes. The lamb and beef combo was fused with a delightful spice that gave it a kick that was tempered by the tzatziki sauce.

The whole meal was accompanied nicely with several slices of fresh, soft pita bread, the only item that isn't made on site.

Added to my meal was a plate of baked lemon potatoes. Peeled and sliced into wedges, the potatoes were glazed in a lemony sauce that made it the perfect side dish- French Fries have nothing on these bad boys.

Also included in my meal was a taste of Gyro Grill's falafel. Rolled into a crispy ball, the falafel's bite was perfectly complemented by the tzatziki.

Too full for dessert, I brought home some honey-rich and nutty baklava, which made a perfect ending to the day.

Gyro Grill's menu is stock full of salads and sides to mix and match your dinner. They also do catering for occasions.

The one thing Gyro Gill doesn't have yet is a full dessert and coffee menu. Baklava is the only after-dinner treat they have, which is well worth the trip, but Carol said they're looking to add coffee and more dessert options, which means we expect the takeout Mediterranean grill may see another future as a local coffee house.

Who wouldn't want to venture out on a cold night for a tasty Gyro, followed by a cup of Greek coffee and some baklava? I know I can't wait to go back. — Domenick Rafter

Faith

Church Turns Newlyweds Into Winners

BY MONICA GANESH The Winners Church is in the middle of its annual love and relationship sermon series that continues throughout the month of November to promote healthy relationships and marriages.

The “church of champions” has been using games and contests to teach their congregation how to have successful relationships.

The church is located in the auditorium/gymnasium of PS 38, located at 13521 241st St., and Sunday services begin at 11 a.m.

Each week couples from the congregation of approximately 75 people volunteer to participate in the games. Last week, four brave couples participated in a kissing and dancing contest, and there are many more games to come. The games that will be held throughout the month are kept secret and have cash prizes and

Word

gift cards. The games occur during or after the service, and there is a newlywed game planned for upcoming weeks.

“It really brings romance back into the marriage,” Pastor Jacques Noisette said. “It helps recapture what they had when they first got together.”

According to Noisette, the annual series, which is held during different months, brings in the largPastor Jacques Noisette and The Winners Church are helping married couples recapture their romance. est number of attendees.

“People say [the series] “Marriage should be enjoyed, not enmotivates them to get married and to have convey. Some sermons teach and warn a happy marriage,” he said. about the dangers and pitfalls in relation- dured,” Noisette said.

The series sermons are not focused ships and marriage.

Noisette added that the church puts a predominately on relationships, but are According to Noisette, healthy rela- lot of demands on husbands in their consomewhat related to the message they tionships are “culturally built in our gregation to live up to their responsibilichurch” due to the church’s push toward ties as the head of their households.

The church has had numerous marhaving successful relationships, specifically in the black population. riages over the years –– and no divorces This past summer, the Winners as of yet.

Reach Intern Monica Ganesh at Church had a record high of five marriages, and has three upcoming sets of interns@queenstribune.com or (718) 357nuptials planned. Patrick and Fabienne 7400, Ext. 122.

Keller, a newlywed couple who met at the church, said they think the series in wonderful.

“It made our marriage stronger,” Then it’s time to share...The PRESS Fabienne Keller said. wants to hear about the special The church offers numerous relationship aides, including pre-marital counsel- programs in your faith community. Send ing – an eight-week process required be- your thoughts, stories, prayers and photos to: The PRESS at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY fore getting married at the church, as well 11357.

All stories will be considered. Photos as marriage life groups and marriage councannot be returned.

—Aldous Huxley seling.

“At least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity – idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political idols.”

Keepin’ The Faith?

Notebook Martin Van Buren H.S.

Martin Van Buren Senior Driven To Help Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

BY VERONICA LEWIN One Queens Village high school senior is doing all she can to make her school and community the best it can be.

Martin Van Buren High School senior Aysha Rana is this year’s President of Arista, an honor society in City public high schools. Rana is in charge of leading Arista’s board meetings, planning events and arranging for tutoring for Scholar members who fall below the high grades they must maintain to stay in the honor society. Rana is also a member of the Scholar’s Institute, which cultivates the creative abilities of Martin Van Buren students so they can achieve academic excellence.

Rana’s philosophy is “hard work always pays off.” She added that her parents are very supportive of all that she does, and are often encouraging her to be her best.

David Johnson, social Queens Boulevard.

Rana collects food for studies teacher at Martin Van the Ronald McDonald Buren, said Rana was one of House in New Hyde Park, his shining students in his and participates in the High global honors class during her sophomore year. “She distinSchool Heroes program of guished herself by marching Junior Achievement at PS 33 where she taught kindergarto the beat of a different ten children about the hisdrum,” Johnson said. “I contory of the City. Since she sider Aysha among the best I began attending Martin Van have taught and her sardonic wit enlivened me on more Buren High School, Rana than one occasion.” has spent her lunch period Arista President assisting teachers in the Other school activities Aysha Rana classroom by filing, grading Rana has participated in during her high school career include the tests, decorating classrooms and helpScholar’s Book Club, tennis team, and ing during Open School Night. Somethe yearbook committee. Outside of Mar- times Rana will even stay after school tin Van Buren, Rana tries her best to give to help teachers. back to the community. For the past two As president of Arista, she is also workyears, she has participated in and raised ing with the honor society to organize a money for the Breast Cancer Walk on Christmas fundraiser for charity, to help

at the Ronald McDonald House, and with the Junior Achievement program to prepare the students to mentor younger students at PS 33.

During the past three summers, Rana has volunteered at the Queens Village Library by assisting with the summer reading program, doing arts and crafts with the children and shelving books when needed.

Rana has taken Advanced Placement U.S. History and English and is currently taking a College Now Business class with Queensborough Community College. She maintains a 95 percent average and plans to pursue higher education to become a dentist. Rana is considering attending Adelphi University or Stony Brook University.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Queens Today TEENS

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357.

Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 1 Men 12-17 who are interested in fun, friendship and adventure are invited to join Boy Scout Troop 1 Flushing/ Bayside every Friday 8-10 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 36-01 Bell Blvd.

SAT PRACTICE Saturday, November 19 practice test. Register Flushing library 800-273-8439.

JOB SEARCH Saturdays, November 19, December 3, 17 job search boot camp at the Central library at 10:30.

CHESS CLUB Every Saturday Flushing library at 2.

LEARN TO KNIT Saturday, November 19 at the Steinway library at 1.

JEWELRY WORKSHOP Monday, November 21 glass-beaded jewelry workshop at the Astoria library.

Register.

PUZZLE Monday, November 21 Thanksgiving Crossword puzzles at the Laurelton library at 4.

COLLEGE CLUB 2011 Mondays, November 21, 28 at 5 at the Pomonok library.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 4.

LAPTOP USE Weekdays at 3 at the Laurelton library.

HOMEWORK HELP Weekdays LIC library at 3.

ENTERTAINMENT DEBATE Tuesday, November 22 listen to new music and give your opinion at the LIC library at 4.

CAREER & COLLEGE Tuesdays career and college exploration from 3-5 at the Central library.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

TEEN CRAFT Wednesday, November 23 at the Flushing library at 4.

GAME DAY Every Wednesday at the Howard Beach library at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

KNITTING CLUB Wednesdays at the Bayside library. Register.

TEEN REC ROOM Wednesdays, November 23, 30 Steinway library at 4.

GIRL & BOY SCOUTS Fridays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Laurelton library. Register.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

CHESS TUTORIAL Fridays Woodside library at 4.

GAME DAY Fridays Woodhaven library at 4:30.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Every Friday at 4 at the Hillcrest library.

ONLINE FOR A JOB Saturday, November 26 searching online for a job at the LIC library. Register.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

PARENTS FIT KIDS Saturday, November 19 Fit Kids Nutrition and Exercise Program in Flushing. 6617687.

OPEN HOUSE Monday, November 21 Open House for the Renaissance Charter School, 35-59 81 st Street, Jackson Heights at 6.

FIT KIDS Tuesdays, November 22, 29 Fit Kids Nutrition and Exercise Program in Flushing.

661-7687.

PREEMIE PARENTS Friday, November 25 Scrapbooking for Preemie Parents in Flushing. 6702920.

FIT KIDS Saturday, November 26 Fit Kids Nutrition and Exercise Program in Flushing. 6617687.

TALKS HISTORY ROUNDTABLE Saturday, November 19 Civil War Roundtable at 1 at the Greater Astoria Historical Societ y, 35-20 Broadway, 4 th floor, LIC. $5.

SOCIAL WORKER Monday, November 21 answers questions about longterm care, benefits and more Sunnyside library at 11. $ EMPOWERMENT Mondays, November 21, 28, December 5 Financial Empowerment shows you how to budget and more. Long Island Cit y Library. Register 646-810-4050, ext. 112.

BECOME A BPI Monday, November 21 become a BPI Certified Contractor at the Sunnyside library at 6:30.

INVESTMENT SEMINAR Monday, November 21 “Investor Education Seminar” at the Lefrak Cit y library at 7.

ARCHITECTURE Mondays, November 21, 28, December 5 Architecture and You series at the Flushing library at 6:30.

VOLUNTEERS Tuesday, November 22 New York Cares volunteer pro gram is discussed at the Briarwood library at 4.

CHINESE CHARACTERS Tu e s d a y, N o ve m b e r 2 2 6:30 at the Flushing library.

POMONOK BOOK Wednesday, November 23 “The Sea” is discussed at 2 at the Pomonok library.

YOUTH MISCELLANEOUS/ ONGOING TOY DRIVE Through December 2 St. Mary’s Hospital Toy Drive.

Drop items at the Martin A. Gleason Funeral Homes in Flushing, Whitestone or Bayside.

MINI GOLF Through December 31 Rocket Park Mini-Golf 10-6 weekends, 2-5 Fridays at the Hall of Science. $6 adults, $5 children plus general NYSCI admission.

SENIORS MAMMOGRAMS Saturday, November 19 nocost mammograms with Communit y Board 6. Appointment needed. 7381111.

FLOWERS Monday, November 21 at 11:30 at the Kew Gardens Communit y Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road suite 202, class in arranging flowers.

BASIC COMPUTERS Tuesdays, November 22, 29 computer classes for older adults at the Baisley Park librar y. Register.

CAREGIVERS Ever y Tuesday Caregivers Support group at 3:30-4:30 at the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

CHAIR EXERCISE Tuesdays low impact chair exercise at 11 at the Flushing-Fresh Meadows Jewish Center. $5. 357-5100.

STARS Wednesdays, November 23, 30 Senior Theater Acting Repertory at the Hollis library at 10:30.

STAY WELL Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East Elmhurst library for exercise and other health related programs.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

DRIVER’S SAFETY Thursday, November 22 at the Pomonok Senior Center for veterans and vet spouses only. 591-3377.

THANKSGIVING DINNER Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ozone Park Senior Center, 1 0 3 - 0 2 1 0 1 st A v e n u e 9 - 2 .

847-9200 if transportation is needed.

STARS Fridays, November 25, December 2, 9 Senior Theater Acting Repertory at the Queens Village library at 10:30. 776-0529.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, November 25 at the Laurelton library at 10.

FREE LUNCH Saturdays, November 26, December 17 at Church of the Resurrection in Kew Gardens. 847-2649 reservations.

BASKETBALL Registration and payment due by November 19 for the LP Fa m ’ s Yo u t h Organization’s Basketball Clinic. 682-6938.

LIBRARY EXPLORERS Saturdays, November 19, 26, December 3 at the Central library. Register.

ANIMAL CARE Saturday, November 19 Animal Care Trainee workshop for those 8-12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center.

229-4000.

THANKSGIVING STORY Saturday, November 19 Thanksgiving Storytime at 11 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows.

THANKSGIVING CRAFT Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 at Barnes & Noble, 1 7 6 - 6 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i k e , Fresh Meadows.

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturday, November 19 at the Flushing library at 11.

CRAFT KIDS Mondays, November 21, 28 at the Flushing library at 3.

GOING GREEN Monday, November 21 Going Green with LEAP at the Broadway library at 4.

LITTLE TOT TIME Mondays, November 21, December 5 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

CRAFT Monday, November 21 at the Windsor Park library at 4.

BOOST VOCABULARY Mondays, November 21, 28 B O O S T C o m m u n i t y Word Project at the Central library at 4:30.

BOOST MATH Mondays, November 21, 28 BOOST Math Activity at the McGoldrick library at 5.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, November 22, 29 at the Glen Oaks library at 11.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday, November 22 at 5 at the Windsor Park library.

RECYCLED Tuesday, November 22 recycled plastic magnets, pins and barrettes at the Astoria l i b ra r y. Re g i ster. Tu e s d ay, November 29 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

THANKSGIVING FUN Tuesday, November 22 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

THANKSGIVING CRAFT Tuesday, November 22 at the Queens Village library at 4.

GOING GREEN Tuesdays, November 22, 29 Going Green with LEAP at the Steinway library at 4.

BOOST ARTS & CRAFTS Tu e s d a y, N o ve m b e r 2 2 BOOST Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts at the Central library at 4:30.

READ TO ME Wednesday, November 23 at the Bay Terrace library at 10:30.

STORY TIME Wednesday, November 23 at the Arverne library at 10.

HAPPY HAPPY STORY TIME Wednesdays, November 23, 30, December 7 at the LIC library at 10:30.

CRAFTS Wednesdays, November 23, 30, December 7 at the Steinway library at 11.

COLONIAL CRAFTS Wednesday, November 23 at the Glendale library at 3.

THANKSGIVING CRAFT Wednesday, November 23 at the McGoldrick librar y.

Register.

BOOST SCIENCE Wednesdays, November 23, 30 at the Central library at 4:30.

NUTRITION Wednesday, November 23 at the Cambria Heights library. Register.

BOOST HEALTH Wednesdays, November 23, 30 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

MATCH CLUB Friday, November 25 at the

HEALTH INTRO CHAIR YOGA Saturday, November 19 at the Lefferts library. Register.

MAMMOGRAMS Saturday, November 19 nocost mammograms with Communit y Board 6. Appointment needed. 7381111.

CANCER SEMINAR Sunday, November 20 free cancer seminar and health cooking class 3-5 at 39-49 29 th Street, LIC. BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, November 20 in Little Neck. 661-7987.

INTRO YOGA Monday, November 21 at the Glendale library. Register.

MASSAGE THERAPY Mondays, November 21, 28 massage therapy and reflexology at NYHQ. 670-1695.

INTRO YOGA Monday, November 21 introduction to yoga at the Woodside library. Register.

CANCER 101 Monday, November 21 learn basic information about cancer at 5:30 at the Far Rockaway library.

INTRO YOGA Monday, November 21 at the Glendale library. Register.

ZUMBA Mondays, November 21, 28 Latin dance fitness class at the Rosedale librar y. Register.

ALZHEIMERS Tu e s d a y s , N o ve m b e r 2 2 , December 13, 27 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

MASSAGE THERAPY Wednesdays, November 23, 30 at NYHQ in Flushing.

670-1695.

LEAD POISIONING Wednesday, November 23 National Lead Poisoning prevention Week at 10:30 at the Far Rockaway library.

STRESS MANAGEMENT Wednesdays, November 23, 30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows.

670-1695.

MASSAGE THERAPY Friday, November 25 in Flushing. 670-1695.

McGoldrick library at 4.

YOGA AND ME Fridays, November 25, December 2, 9 yoga for preschoolers at the Douglaston library. Register.

ORIGAMI Friday, November 25 celebrate fall with origami at the Laurelton library. Register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays LIC library at 2.

GAME DAY Fridays at the Queens Village library at 2.

FLASH FRIDAYS Every Friday at 3 at the Ozone Park library.

GAME PLAYERS Every Friday at the Hillcrest library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

GAME DAY Fridays at the Rochdale Village library at 4.

GAME TIME Fridays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS TUTORIAL Fridays at 4 at the Woodside library.

BOOST GAME DAY Fridays at the Central library at 4:30 and at 5 t the McGoldrick library.

CUB SCOUTS 351 Fridays at St. Nicholas of Tolentine school cafeteria, Parsons Blvd. and Union Turnpike. Boys in grades 15. 820-0015.

SINGLES SINGLE SERVICE Friday, November 18 Single Service Friday Night Shabbat at 8 at the Little Neck Jewish Center, 49-10 Little Neck Parkway. 516-487-0674.

THEATER HARD WALL Through November 19 “A Hard Wall at High Speed” will be presented at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. 866-811-4111.

TWO PIECES OF… Through December 11 “ With Over Two Pieces of Luggage” will be presented at the Greek Cultural Center in Astoria. 726-7329.

TWELFTH NIGHT Saturday and Sunday, November 12, 13 at St. Luke’s in Forest Hills. Presented by the Gingerbread Players.

268-7772.

HAIRSPRAY Saturdays and Sundays, November 12, 13, 19, 20 at the Free Synagogue of Flushing. 229-8547.

CILL CAIS PLAYERS November 27 at 3 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Bayside. Cill Cais Players present one-act comedies. 347-0879.

KILLING KOMPANY Friday, February 3 “Murder

by Marriage” at Riccardo’s in Astoria. The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOTEM for information.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Profile

Coach Hopes To Lead Scholars To Repeat

BY DAVID RUSSELL After more than three decades as a coach, Janet Kleiner won her first PSAL title in March. Now she will try to go backto-back, but more obstacles face her and The Scholars Academy than last year.

“The division has changed slightly,” said Kleiner speaking of the Queens B East division in which her Seawolves play.

“Instead of facing five teams three times a year we face seven teams twice a year.”

Springfield Gardens is back and Campus Magnet has been added. This means two meetings with Springfield Gardens, where Kleiner was head coach for 27 years.

“Considering my success there and that a big part of my life was spent there, it was nice to play them and beat them,” she said.

“The first year against them meant more, now it’s just another team in the division.”

Kleiner is the first coach in the history of the Scholars Academy basketball, which is going into its third season. She landed on her feet after a year-long hiatus. “Professionally, I had been through a tough period. I was in a tough place, and I knew I wasn’t going back to Springfield Gardens,” she said. “I was browsing the Internet and saw The Scholars Academy. I saw there was no coach so I contacted the AD.”

games in my career. As we packed up our stuff to leave, every spectator got up and gave my kids a standing ovation. They showed a competitive fire that was outstanding for a first year team. That set the footwork and hunger for next year.

My heart was aching on the drive home. I was ready for the next season that day.”

During her second season, in which the Seawolves went 15-0, Kleiner won her 400th career game. “To have a career that can endure, it’s a great number that I’m proud of. If they keep playing this way they’ll push me to 500.”

Janet Kleiner is the first coach in the history of The Seawolves playoff run had Scholars Academy basketball and is looking to bring a surprising effect on Kleiner. “I home another PSAL title. have never felt the serenity and the calm I felt between the semi“We went 10-8, made the playoffs and final and the final. I felt we were going to won a game,” she said of the first season. win,” she said. “We had already beaten “Then we had a game with Fannie Lou Bedford Academy, and I knew what it Hamer in the Bronx. They were seeded took to do it again. When I woke up there well above us. One thing about the kids, were no butterflies, no nerves. When I their parents and grandparents drive the looked at the box-score I saw that we held kids everywhere. I got lost and ended up them to one point in the second quarter, in Westchester. I still showed up very early which I wasn’t even aware of. I look at and my players were already there. It was some pictures of that game every day. So one of the highlights of my career. We lost far it is one of the highlights of my career, by two. It was one of the most satisfying but this is a new year. Every team wants

to beat the defending city champions.”

Coach Kleiner has to deal with is the graduation of four of her five starters, including co-captains Rebecca Moers and Kristin Dchiutiis, but she is also impressed with the incoming talent. “There are quite a few players this year. Of seven who could return, five – hopefully six – will. Kids who have played AAU, CYO, kids with good fundamental skills are coming in. I don’t take credit for the girls who come with fundamentals. As long as you come to me with a desire and a positive attitude you’ll do fine.”

It is unknown if Kleiner will mellow out a bit after winning her first championship. “It’s too early to tell yet. When you have such a winning streak, there’s more pressure with each game. My expectations are the same. You want to win and make the playoffs. There was a senior-heavy class that’s done well and then the expectations change.”

Kleiner, who is a gym teacher at Forest Hills High School, loves coaching just as much as ever. “I also coach handball and I did volleyball. I never knew basketball would be my passion,” she said. “The day I look at the clock to see if practice is over is the day I walk away. You don’t coach in the PSAL for the money; you coach because of the passion.”

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

People The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings Oct. 23-29. The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Andrew Jusino of Glendale won $69,676 on the Take Five drawing of Oct. 19. Jusino’s winning ticket was purchased at the Eastend Grocery & Lotto at 1662 1st Ave. in New York.

Guolong Hu of Whitestone won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing of Sept. 28. Hu’s winning ticket was purchased at the W & N Grocery at 6901 8th Ave. in Brooklyn.

Mohamed Assim of South Ozone Park won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing of Oct. 25. Assim’s winning ticket was purchased at the Mona Newsstand at 111-01 Lefferts Blvd. in South Ozone Park.

Nwabueze Ajanwachuku of Rego Park won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing of Oct. 19. Ajanwachuku’s winning ticket was purchased at the Adam’s Bagel & Deli at 63-56 Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park.

The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings Oct. 30-Nov. 5.

The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Kadrija Djonbalic of Astoria won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing of Oct.

29. Djonbalic’s winning ticket was purchased at the Andy Convenience at 4409 30th Ave. in Astoria.

Marie Joseph of Queens Village won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing of Oct. 29. Joseph’s winning ticket was purchased at the Jai Maa Energy & Food at 1255 E Gunhill Road in Bronx.

Mei-Fei Chang of Astoria won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing of Sept.

23. Chang’s winning ticket was purchased at the K & C Discount at 47-16 Bdwy. in Astoria.

Felix Mady of Hollis who won $14,870 on the Take Five drawing of Oct. 30.

Mady’s winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven at 219-17 Hillside Ave. in Queens Village.

Assemblyman Rory Lancman had the honor of awarding reading certificates to the young competitors in this year’s New York State Assembly Summer Reading Challenge. Students from schools in Jamaica, Flushing, Briarwood, Kew Gardens, Fresh Meadows and Richmond Hill attended the ceremony, along with family and friends.

The young readers were invited to accumulate reading days of forty or more throughout the summer, either independently or with their parents and guardians, and were also encouraged to use all of the resources that Queens Public Libraries have to offer.

Lisa Ramos, whose children Lara and Eduardo attend PS 117 and participated

in the Summer Reading Challenge this year, remarked that she was very happy that the certificates were presented to the students at a special ceremony.

“A lot of the time my kids don’t want to read, but if I tell them that they’ll get something out of it, they have the incentive to do it,” she said of the Summer Reading Challenge program. Seven students Assemblyman Rory Lancman with students from the Summer f rom PS 117 were Reading Challenge. awarded certificates, and one of the school’s Reading teach- Hsin Chang of Flushing, Chunjian Liu of ers, Mary Conlon, and PTA president, Flushing, Han Wang of Flushing, Alice Howard Slewett, also attended the cer- Cheung of Flushing, Hannah J. Cho of Flushing, Alison R. Entin of Bayside, emony.

“Getting young students to read for a Gloria O. Kwon of Oakland Gardens, total of forty hours throughout the sum- Avalon N. Siegel of Oakland Gardens, Elie mer is a challenge, but I am thrilled to be Ogaye of Corona, Meifang Jiang of Jackable to encourage them to do it,” said son Heights, Shiqi Chen of Elmhurst, Steven Hoyos of Elmhurst, Yangyun Zheng Lancman. of Elmhurst, Jiujiu Wang of Rego Park, The following students enrolled at Jason Chen of Woodside, Mingwei W. Chen Binghamton University, State University of Elmhurst, Sadia Hannan of Woodside, of New York, recently received Ameri- Cristhy A. Azcona of Ridgewood, Aleisha can Dream Scholarships. These scholar- A. Forbes of Cambria Heights, Janice C. ships are awarded to women and minori- Mcfarlane of St. Albans, Cynthia Chiduku of South Richmond Hill, Rain Rashid of ties with academic merit.

Matthew L. Lugo of Astoria, Laura South Ozone Park, Bonnie Li of Park of Sunnyside, John N. Minami of Woodhaven, Clarice J. Hampton of Hollis Flushing, Pei Qi Yang of Flushing, Wen and Tianna N. Clarke of Jamaica.

Voluptuous Vixen Lisa wouldn’t trade her life

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer shows his moves on the dance floor.

Jimmy’s Dance So you think you can dance?

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer knows he can – and he ain’t afraid to show it.

Wowing and wooing a crowded room of community residents at the Sunnyside/Woodside Boy and Girls Club’s annual “Dancing with the Stars” fundraiser, “Van Breezy,” as we will now call him, was a complete captain of cool.

Winding his hips, and bumping his bum to the beat, “Van Breezy” gave his constituents a glimpse of his dancing dark side.

Although he did forget some steps of the routine, he kept up

well with his sultry companion, holding his composure through what some other elected officials may have considered death defying stunts.

While other local electeds may need to “step it up,” Van Breezy has officially become the baddest boppin’ city politician in the borough and seems prepared to serve it up at a moment’s notice.

Now only if we could get Councilman Peter Koo to give us a taste of his moves.

Do you smell a political dance off challenge, because we do.

Bring it baby.

Club Nets $1M

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 18-24, 2011

Gallagher’s 2000, rated the best gentleman’s club in our Best of Queens issue, has an extra $1 million to make it rain at the club. The feds have been ordered to return nearly $1 million seized from the club after suspect behavior. Owner Robert Potenza was accused of making bank deposits in amounts less than $10,000 in order to avoid federal reporting requirements. He said he was keeping small bills on hand for his customers, but covering his assets by running the big bills to the bank.”

Potenza said dollar bills are the lifeblood of the Long Island City club. The ATM machines are stocked with “good” $20s while “house moms” make change with tattered $20s. The club draws hundreds of customers daily, allowing them to spend “good” dollars on lap dances and private sessions in

Sometimes it’s hard for the ladies to handle all those singles. the “Champagne Room.”

And we’d been wondering what to do with all those pesky singles we’ve had laying around.

for the world.

A native of the rough streets of East New York, Brooklyn, Lisa, known as the “voluptuous vixen,” crossed the border into Queens and now lives, works and volunteers in Howard Beach.

An administrative assistant at an insurance office by trade, it’s her volunteer work she really enjoys.

She originally wanted to be a police officer, and had passed the test, but a medical issue kept her off the force.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending the hours with her family, especially her mother who still lives in East New York, and going to see family movies or grab a beer and some wings with her friends. She enjoys kickboxing, hiking and bike riding along the scenic path that parallels the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. But sometimes, she enjoys just spending some time relaxing.

“I just like to enjoy a quiet moment, sometimes just sitting in the sun, staying away from all the noise and crowds,” she said.

Howard Beach Age: 33 Height: 5’ 0" Weight: 140 lbs Stats: 36-33-40 NYPhotoByNick

Models Of Queens Stick To Your Story

Former Councilman, now Assemblyman, David Weprin, had been the Democratic selection against the GOP’s Bob Turner for the Congressional seat vacated

by Anthony Weiner… no, Weiner’s not the joke this time.

During the campaign Weprin had backed out of a civic group’s planned debate, citing a scheduling error where he had somewhere more important to be. A picture on a political blog showed Weprin’s prior commitment – he was seen sitting in the pews at Temple.

Certainly, we’re not going to knock David for expressing his faith, and we were willing to let the one-time occurrence slide. Nobody really thought he was dodging an appearance with Turner.

It turns out that last Monday, when Agudath Israel held its breakfast, at which now-Congressman Turner was to speak, Weprin

The Sun Governor because it’s notably similar to one

Is Gov. Andrew Cuomo letting his 70 percent approval rating go to his head?

Fresh off victories from Buffalo to Yonkers to Long Island of Democratic candidates for whom he campaigned, the Hollis-reared governor gave an interview to an Albany talk radio station where he was asked about the public’s lack of faith in state government.

Pointing out his sky-high approval ratings, he said his poll numbers show people have faith in their government because “I am the government.”

If the line sounds familiar it’s

Lisa

uttered by King Louis XIV, the 17th Century French monarch known for his "absolute power."

His majesty, The Sun King's line “L’etat c’est moi”(“I am the state”) is among his most famous.

As for our own Sun Governor, Cuomo clarified his statement, which has since become a ringtone, after state legislators pounced on the slight against them.

He added later that he meant “of the executive branch.”

Perhaps he meant to say “L’etat fonctionnel c’est moi”- I am the government that functions.

backed out citing a conflict – he had an Assembly hearing on foreclosures to attend. An Agudath source told City Hall News that Weprin backed out because of Turner, but again, we were willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

That was, until Weprin was a no-show at that Assembly hearing he used as an excuse. Assemblymen Rory Lancman and Micha Kellner showed up on time attending both the breakfast and the hearing.

It’s one thing to dodge your former political rival, but if you’re going to come up with a story, you need to make it beleiveable.

One time that we know David Weprin and Bob Turner were in the same place at the same time.

Photo by Ira Cohen

Confidentially, New York . . .

What’s Up SATURDAY, NOV. 19 Walkers for Wellness Club Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities. The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.

Winter Baseball Clinic Players ages 5-14 will learn the necessary fundamentals that will improve their level of play as well as their knowledge of baseball. There will be two six-week sessions of instruction, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19, and Dec. 3 to Jan. 21. Both sessions are not required, but recommended. The price of each session is $50 per child. The fee for players who register in the midst of a session will be $10 a week. For more information, contact (718) 529-7911 or (718) 835-9252.

This event will be held at PS 752, located at 142-10 Linden Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Winter Basketball Program The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is offering a Fall/Winter Basketball Clinic for children ages 8-16 on Saturdays from Oct. 22 through Jan. 28. The $50 registration fee includes insurance, weekly training and a T-shirt. Full payment must be made by Nov. 19, no exceptions. For more information, contact (347) 234-6833 or (718) 682-6938.

This event will be held at the Queens Transition Center, located at 142-10 Linden Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Job Search Boot Camp Spend one day at the library and learn all the best strategies for finding a job. By the end of the day, you and your resume will be “fit” to find your best job.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Apples, Apples, Apples

Latin Jazz Coalition Trombonist and composer Demetrios Kastaris leads the Latin Jazz Coalition, whose music blends rhythms like the rumba (guaguancó), son-montuno, bembé, guajira and more.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 3 p.m.

Steve Kroon became a first-call percussionist for such diverse artists as Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack.

His two decade-long professional association with R&B crooner Luther Vandross underscores Kroon’s reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and respected percussionists. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For additional information, contact (718) 2622559. Councilman James Sanders is dispensing free tickets on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact Sanders’ district office at (718) 5274356.

This free event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center - 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 7 to 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 20 Museum of Wonder Inspired by the Queens Museum of Art exhibition “Wonderstruck in the Panorama: Drawings by Brian Selznick.” The museum invites you to imagine a Museum of your own creation. What is your Museum about?

What kinds of things are on exhibit there?

Participants will work with pencil and paper to bring their visions to life. Families are encouraged to attend this workshop.

This free event will be held at the Queens Museum of Art, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 21 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Monday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same.

Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

Intro to Computers Get yourself up to speed on basic computer skills. Learn about parts of the computer, software vs. hardware, common applications, how to use the keyboard and mouse; open and close “windows”; use toolbars, and scroll bars. To register, please call (718) 990-5102 or visit the Job Information Center.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.

Real Dads Still Exist Come and share your experience as a father, and help us teach young fathers how to be a real dad. For additional information, contact Jonathan Quash at jquash@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-3772.

This free event will be held at York College Academic Core Building, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 5 to 7 p.m.

Shared Secrets The Black Spectrum Theatre Company is pleased to present a reading of a new

play, “Shared Secrets.” The play is loosely based on the book by Betty Dopson. In a women’s spa, seven elder sisters have come to cleanse their bodies and rejuvenate.

The “Shared Secrets” focus on how they have made it to the other side of the age barrier in spite of it all. The play features Tonya Pinkins, Marjorie Johnson, Francine Sharpe, Cathleen Williams, and Joan J. A donation of $5 is suggested. For tickets and additional information, call (718) 723-1800.

This free event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre - 177th Street and Baisley Blvd., at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOV. 22 Self Defense Class In a move to help members of his community feel safer at night, City Councilman James Sanders, Jr. will partner with the office of Council Speaker Christine Quinn to host a free self defense training class, taught by the Center for Anti-Violence Education. Subsequent classes may be scheduled depending upon requests for admission. RSVP by Nov. 21 to attend the class. Please contact the Councilman’s district office at (718) 527-4356, or contact dcastaldi@council.nyc.gov or at (212) 788-7276.

This free event will be held at Queens Church of the First Born, 226-01 Merrick Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m.

Intro to Internet In this single-session workshop, customers will learn how to search the Web for reliable resources and how to navigate a website. Must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills. Pre-registration is required in person at the Cyber Center Desk.

For details, please call (718) 990-0769.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 Intro to Computers In this two-session workshop, older adults will learn the basics about the computer, the keyboard and mouse and the Internet. Preregistration is required in person at the Cyber Center Desk. Class runs from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. For details, please call (718) 990-0769.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Taking Route How does the simple act of planting trees lead to winning a Nobel Peace Prize?

The film “Taking Route” depicts how under Wangari Kenya;s leadership, tree planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy, earning Maathai the Nobel Peace Price in 2004.

For more information, contact cultureartsfun@nyc.gov.

This free event will be held at the Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center, 93-29 Queens Blvd., at 1:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 24 Annual Thanksgiving Feast The African Poetry Theater, the

Granville T. Woods Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are pleased to present their annual community Thanksgiving feast and clothing distribution. Everyone is invited to come out and help serve families and to enjoy a free delicious meal. If you would like to bring a dish or used clothing in good condition (coats are needed), call (718) 523-3312.

This free event will be held at Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 25 BOOST Game Day Spend some time playing board games in the library. For ages 6-12. For more information, contact (718) 990-0700.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

ONGOING Safe Driving Courses The AARP will offer free defensive and safe driving courses to current and former military personnel through their Driver Safety Program for the entire month of November.

The program provides veterans of any age with the opportunity to “learn safety strategies and adapt to physical and cognitive changes related to aging” or, in this case, physical or mental injury suffered by military personnel or their families. Military spouses, including widows and widowers, as well as dependent children are also eligible for the classes with valid military identification.

Classes will be offered at several locations, including the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens, Young Israel of Bayswater, The Robert Senior Citizens Center and the Rosedale Library.

Those interested can find other course locations at aarp.org/findacourse or by calling 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-2277669). For more information, contact Councilman James Sanders’ office at (718) 527-4356.

Job Club The Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 7392060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 18-24, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Rufus King had apple orchards on his farm. Did you know that apples can be more than food? Come hear apple stories, and make a special apple craft to take home.

This free event will be held at King Manor Museum, 153 Street at Jamaica Avenue, from noon to 3 p.m.

The Steve Kroon Sextet

STOP KILLING GOOD JOBS!

The Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx could be home to 2,000 jobs. Instead it sits empty because special interests wanted to force private businesses to pay inflated wages.

Now they’re at it again!

Kingsbridge Armory Today

Tell your City Councilmember to say “NO” to wage mandates.

For more info go to: puttingnewyorkerstowork.org

Paid for by Putting New Yorkers To Work